Apple and Google launch built-in price tracking for mobile shoppers

Apple introduced the Notify Me feature in Safari with iOS 27, allowing users to monitor specific webpages for changes such as price drops or restocks. The tool relies on Apple Intelligence and is restricted to compatible hardware, including the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 series. Standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models do not support the feature. Users can select checking intervals ranging from hourly to monthly, and the system sends a notification when it detects the requested change. While primarily marketed for shopping, the feature also supports monitoring event tickets or registration pages.

Google offers alternative price tracking tools for Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel users through its shopping services and the Chrome browser. The Google app allows users to track specific products and receive alerts via push notification or email when a price falls to a selected level. Chrome provides a "Track Price" option in its menu for supported product pages, requiring users to be signed into a Google Account with history synchronization enabled. The exact availability of these options varies by product, account settings, and Chrome version.

Earlier this month, Google began rolling out Universal Cart in the United States across Google Search and the Gemini app. This feature allows shoppers to save items from multiple retailers in a single virtual cart. The system monitors prices for saved items and alerts users when costs drop or out-of-stock items become available. Universal Cart also identifies promotional codes and suggests payment options, including the ability to complete eligible purchases through Google Pay or finish checkout on the retailer's website. The rollout is gradual, meaning the feature may not appear in every account immediately.

Both platforms require specific configurations to function correctly. Safari's Notify Me requires Apple Intelligence to be enabled on a compatible device. Google's tools require users to sign in and enable notifications; Chrome may also require additional browsing settings, such as "Make searches and browsing better," which allows the browser to share browsing-related information with Google to improve its services. Users should review these privacy settings before enabling tracking features. If a tracking option is not visible, the product page may not support the feature, or the user's account settings may need adjustment.

Price alerts indicate that a change has occurred but do not guarantee the lowest available price. Shoppers should verify details before purchasing. Additionally, users should exercise caution with price-drop alerts from unfamiliar senders, as scammers may create fake notifications leading to fraudulent websites. Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious links and phishing attempts associated with fake sale alerts.